RVing Basics

Take soft and collapsible luggage, not rigid suitcases, to fit in the often small storage compartments in RVs.

Don’t try and tick off too may sights in too short a time, or you will spend your whole trip looking out the window of your RV.

Get off the well-trodden tourist routes and interact with the locals to discover parts of the States that are generally reserved for local knowledge. Successful RVing relies on a community spirit and you’re likely to find more of this out in the less-populated areas.

Don’t underestimate the power of the sun even when the temperatures aren’t extreme. Apply waterproof SPF30+ frequently, and cover up with sunhats, clothing and sunglasses. The last thing you want is to get burnt on the first day of your holiday and spend the rest of it in pain and unable to go in the sun at all!

If you do get badly burnt, take an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen (Advil), moisturize frequently, drink loads of water and avoid more sun. Also avoid applying aloe vera gel unless you are certain it’s pure – many highly-colored versions actually have a high alcohol content which further dries out the skin.

When parking at a holiday park, unspoken etiquette is to position your RV so your sliding door does not face your neighbor’s door. That way you can avoid enforced chit chat and retain some privacy.

Leveling blocks can be handy if you don’t like sleeping on an angle, but planks (or VERY thick cardboard) are also worthwhile to place under your wheels as you park if it looks like it will get very muddy.

Bring all the essentials, but don’t over-pack. Do you really need more than one pair of the same type of shoe? You’ll be glad for any square inch of extra space to live in inside your campervan.

Spring-type clothes pegs come in handy for countless things – keeping open bags closed, replacing the fiddly closures on sliced bread… and hanging up your clothes of course! On this note, clotheslines at holiday parks fill up very quickly. Wash your clothes and hang them out at night.

Take wire coathangers rather than plastic so you can bend the hooks around to stop them jumping off the rail even on really bumpy roads.

Check the alignment of other people’s TV antennas when you arrive at a holiday park – chances are they’ll be pointing in the right direction!

Cook double the amount of any food you make, especially stews, curries, stir-fries etc so you have an easy reheatable meal at the end of the following day’s travel.

When leaving a campground with a hookup make sure you have disconnected the power, water and black water before driving off!

Make sure everything is stored away securely before driving. In particular, check refrigerator doors, side entry doors and cupboards have security latches deployed correctly. A moment’s care could save you a costly or messy load of foodstuffs, crockery or other belongings. Make certain living quarter vents are closed before heading out on the highway and other external components on your vehicle are secure. These could include side entry steps, side awnings and side compartment doors.